Word. Nashville won because of a confused PK and an impotent offense, which still managed nearly 40 shots on goal. Add one of either Datsyuk, Lidstrom OR subtract one of either Hudler, Franzen, and this team is plenty

Rinne is formidable, and the Wings have been beat by hot goaltenders before, but Nashville is far from the most potent threat.

They've only ever managed to win one round in the playoffs, and that was last year, when they beat a mediocre Ducks team. I don't think they line up any better against playoff contenders this year. Series play is very different from regular season play, and unless a team has a lot of looks and an ability to adapt they just don't do well. Unfortunately, these shoestring teams that get by on a defensive style because they can't dependably mount creative offense usually can't adapt to the quick adjustments that define the playoffs. They've gotten where they are by doing one thing well. The same is true for the Yotes - they'll win in the regular season, by playing the same low-risk style game after game, but they'll lose in the playoffs because that's all they've got.

The Wings on the other hand are extremely flexible in how they play, and stand a lot better chance. It's not just that they're well coached, it's that the players are smart enough to be able to play more than one strategy. A genius behind the bench is meaningless if the players can't follow. The same is true of the Pens, the Nucks, and sometimes the Sharks (assuming they make it in this year) - all of them are good at analyzing their opponent and adjusting.

Well if the Preds overtake the Wings for the 4th seed then its a safe bet to assume the will beat the Wings in the first round.

No, it's not.

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard